2017 UTME: ‘Hackers’ attempting to steal JAMB questions arrested

A cross-section of candidates writing the 2017 JAMB and UTME computer based examination at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Pro-metrics Centre, in Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State on Saturday (13/5/17). 02637/13/5/2017/Idowu Gabriel/HB/NAN

Eighteen suspects are being quizzed by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for attempted examination malpractices during the just-concluded JAMB examinations held nationwide.

The men were arrested on May 15 in a rented apartment at No.13 Lutheran Road, Ikot Ekpene, while trying to hack into JAMB’s website to have access to exam questions, police said.

The leader of the syndicate, one Isaiah Akpan Eshiet, works for Gmail Computer Technology and Management Institute located at No.15 Lutheran Road, Ikot Ekpene as the Centre Manager, Chukwu Ikechukwu, the spokesperson for the Akwa Ibom Command, said in a statement.

The Institute was one of the centres approved by JAMB for candidates to write the examination.

According to Mr. Ikechukwu, the centre manager rented the office, about a few metres away from the Institute, to specifically perpetrate the crime.

“He linked a cable from the rented office to a switch of the Institute’s Computer system in the proprietor’s office with the intention to connect the JAMB Server for access to JAMB questions,” the police spokesperson said.

“He had not succeeded when the police on information swooped on him and his associates. Among the accomplices in the Command’s custody were scouts for interested candidates and those on standby, popularly referred to as mercenaries, who were to solve the exam questions and transmit answers to candidates in the examination hall at the Institute. Items recovered from the syndicate include 27 laptops, cables and a generating set.”

Mr. Ikechukwu quoted the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Don Awunah, as saying there is no hiding place for criminals in the state.

“He reassures that the Command will continue to collaborate with all exam bodies in the state to eliminate cheats from the processes and safeguard their collective integrity,” the spokesperson said.

“The Commissioner of Police continually appreciates useful information from members of the public on criminals and their activities in the state, and seizes this medium to solicits for more of such assistance.”